Rev. Terry Jones: Quran Burning Off, "Right Now"
The Florida pastor behind a controversial plan to burn Muslim holy books on the 9th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks told CBS News on Friday that the event was on hold, "right now".
Special Section: September 11 Remembered
Anti-Islamic preacher Rev. Terry Jones backed off his plans on Thursday and then threatened to reconsider burning the Qurans, angrily accusing local a Muslim leader of lying to him with a promise to move an Islamic center and away from New York's ground zero. The imam planning the center denied there was ever such a firm deal.
"Right now, we have called the event off, based upon the offer that the Imam gave us," Jones told "The Early Show" co-anchor Harry Smith Friday morning.
The Imam who met Jones Thursday also appeared on "The Early Show" Friday. He told Smith the misunderstanding was due to ongoing efforts to secure a meeting with the figure behind the planned New York city Islamic center.
"We simply are in the process of a moving situation," Imam Muhammad
Musri, president of the Islamic Society of Central Florida, told Smith. "The first part was the understanding with the pastor about what's being done in Gainesville, and the second part was to arrange for the meeting and fly over to New York and sit down with the man responsible for the project over there."
Asked whether that meeting was scheduled, Musri said he had received a "commitment for a meeting," but the exact timing was not yet arranged.
"I am, of course, as you can imagine, very, very disappointed because that is not what the Imam told me yesterday," Jones said in response. "We were very, very clear."
The pastor's remarks left open the possibility that he would reschedule the Quran burning for Saturday evening.
Musri said New York Islamic center project leader Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf would meet with himself and Jones, "to discuss the nature and the idea of moving the mosque."
Quran Burning Coverage
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Rev. Jones Stands Down; Quran Burning Canceled
Koran Burning Plans Halted
Pastor Sparks Taliban Leaflets
Quran Burning Canceled by Fla. Pastor
Robert Gates Urged Terry Jones to Call Off Quran Burning
The Perils of Covering the Quran Burning
Taliban Calls on Afghans to Avenge Quran Burning
FBI Agents Visit Fla. Pastor over Quran Burning
Quran Burning Plan Prompts U.S. Travel Warning
Copyright 2010 CBS. All rights reserved. Special Section: September 11 Remembered
Anti-Islamic preacher Rev. Terry Jones backed off his plans on Thursday and then threatened to reconsider burning the Qurans, angrily accusing local a Muslim leader of lying to him with a promise to move an Islamic center and away from New York's ground zero. The imam planning the center denied there was ever such a firm deal.
"Right now, we have called the event off, based upon the offer that the Imam gave us," Jones told "The Early Show" co-anchor Harry Smith Friday morning.
The Imam who met Jones Thursday also appeared on "The Early Show" Friday. He told Smith the misunderstanding was due to ongoing efforts to secure a meeting with the figure behind the planned New York city Islamic center.
"We simply are in the process of a moving situation," Imam Muhammad
Musri, president of the Islamic Society of Central Florida, told Smith. "The first part was the understanding with the pastor about what's being done in Gainesville, and the second part was to arrange for the meeting and fly over to New York and sit down with the man responsible for the project over there."
Asked whether that meeting was scheduled, Musri said he had received a "commitment for a meeting," but the exact timing was not yet arranged.
"I am, of course, as you can imagine, very, very disappointed because that is not what the Imam told me yesterday," Jones said in response. "We were very, very clear."
The pastor's remarks left open the possibility that he would reschedule the Quran burning for Saturday evening.
Musri said New York Islamic center project leader Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf would meet with himself and Jones, "to discuss the nature and the idea of moving the mosque."
Quran Burning Coverage
Minister: Quran Burning Might Not be Canceled
Rev. Jones Stands Down; Quran Burning Canceled
Koran Burning Plans Halted
Pastor Sparks Taliban Leaflets
Quran Burning Canceled by Fla. Pastor
Robert Gates Urged Terry Jones to Call Off Quran Burning
The Perils of Covering the Quran Burning
Taliban Calls on Afghans to Avenge Quran Burning
FBI Agents Visit Fla. Pastor over Quran Burning
Quran Burning Plan Prompts U.S. Travel Warning
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Threatening to burn any religions beliefs is disturbing. Here in America, I believe we had the Waco incident that was by Christian extremists, and we've have serial murders that also professed the Christian faith.
The people who participated in the 911 attacks were terrorists, who may have been Muslim, but that in no way calls for an attack against so many practicing their faith. They were terrorists, and what they did was sick. Likewise, Waco was done by extremists who are also murderers.
Call them what they were....terrorists. And, don't burn anything!
No real Preacher, Minister, Clergy, Pastor, Priest, Rabbi or Cleric would condone this except to start a Holy War.
We have made great inroads we are starting to win and now this man wants to incite more Killings and Attacks on our People over there No some one needs to stop this person he is not of Religion he is doing the Devils work and just maybe his right hand man.
Because if he thought it through he wouldn't even think twice to me if he go's ahead and does burn the Qur'an then he will start a Bloodbath in Afghanistan and more of are People will pay the price and he will go down as the Devil's own and if even one of our people die or get hurt because of it then to me he is a Target of Opportunity so after he Burns that book he had better leave this country because I will do what it takes to Deliver him to the Families of those Hurt or Killed because of his actions and let then administer true Justice!
Finally. I DO NOT LIKE O-BAMA.... I think the President is having a sluggish and unguided look at the issue of the Mosque at the ground zero.... though I know it is two blocks away. I think it is not right because Why should the imam say it is either a mosque at ground zero or a jihad? Where is the $10 million building project coming from? Why should Palestinianshead of terrorist even be in the picture of the support? Freedom is given to non- threats... everyone is condemning the Florida pastor for burning Koran and the Imam is not condemned for threatening a jihad is the mosque is not built near ground zero... I thought Obama is a smart president... I think it is more about the event (Twin Towers.. September 11) not the freedom of religion.
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Just a cursory understanding of the Constitution makes you look the fool.
We already had 8 years of a president who did not think much of the Constitution. It is about time we had one who understood its tenets.
I agree. The imam in New York is now threatening jihad activity if the mosque is moved, and is not criticized for it by wimpy Americans.
A holy war would give Jones purpose where it appears he has none.
media attention.If our troops are put in harms way due to this over reporting of this nutcake then they alone take all the blame for whatever happens.